CN113365771B

CN113365771B - Modularized welding system

Info

Publication number: CN113365771B
Application number: CN201980084677.9A
Authority: CN
Inventors: 潘磊; 毛里齐奥·泰尔佐; 恩里科·科尔特拉次奥
Original assignee: Jiashi Technology Europe Co ltd; Shenzhen Jasic Technology Co ltd
Current assignee: Jiashi Technology Europe Co ltd; Shenzhen Jasic Technology Co ltd
Priority date: 2018-12-20
Filing date: 2019-12-20
Publication date: 2023-04-28
Anticipated expiration: 2039-12-20
Also published as: CN113365771A; US20220395922A1; EP3898054C0; PL3898054T3; EP3898054A2; EP3898054B1; WO2020128989A2; WO2020128989A3; IT201800020563A1

Abstract

The application relates to a welding system (1) comprising a main module (2) provided with an outer casing (3), the outer casing (3) defining: an input port (4) for connection to an external electrical power source; is configured to adapt the electrical characteristics of the electrical power received at the input to a first type of welding generator (5); at least one output port (6) for connection to a welding torch by means of an electrical conductor, adapted electrical power being supplied to the output port (6); an electronic control unit (7) configured to control the function of the generator (5). The main module (2) comprises an electromechanical connection unit (9) of a first type on the outer casing (3), the welding system (1) comprising at least one auxiliary module (10) provided with an outer casing (11), the outer casing (11) defining: a generator (12) configured to adapt electrical characteristics of the electrical power received at the input to the second type of welding; at least one electromechanical connection unit (13) of a second type, which is couplable to the electromechanical connection unit (9) of the first type of the main module (2), to allow a reversible type of mechanical coupling to the main module (2) and to establish an electrical power connection and a data connection between the main module (2) and the auxiliary module (10).

Description

Modularized welding system

The present invention relates to a modular welding system that can be adapted to perform different and multiple types of welding.

The term "welding process" is well known to refer to a technique that allows for physical/chemical fusion of two joints.

Welding processes constitute a relatively broad and diverse field, which over time has been adapted to the development of materials and production technologies. On a macroscopic level, it can be said that the process developed mainly in the industrial field belongs to the group of welding by melting metallic materials.

This process uses heat generated in various ways to melt substrates that may be part of the joint itself or may be metal-filled.

The most common processes in the field of welding by molten metal include arc welding, which includes in particular manual welding with coated electrodes defined by the acronym MMA, using Submerged Arc (SAW), continuous welding wire with gas shield (MIG/MAG) and gas shield with non-consumable electrodes (defined by the acronym TIG).

There is also a second broad category of fusion welding, which involves concentrated energy welding, i.e., all welding processes that use an energy beam that successfully concentrates high power per square millimeter of surface area from a few thousand to a few tens of megawatts onto a workpiece. In particular, laser welding (LBW) using Electron Beam (EBW) and Plasma (PAW) belongs to the last category of parts.

It is also known that in order to perform each of the different types of welding described above, it is necessary to use a specific welding device, comprising a generator specifically configured to adjust the output power, in order to perform the specific type of welding described above, or at most a limited number of such types.

Therefore, disadvantageously, in order to be able to perform different types of welding, it is necessary to have a plurality of welding devices, each of which is specifically configured to perform one of the above-mentioned types of welding.

Disadvantageously, this results in increased costs of purchasing or renting individual welding equipment for performing the various welding techniques.

Furthermore, the maintenance and/or repair costs of each individual welding device of the prior art should not be underestimated, the costs having to be multiplied by the number of available devices.

Furthermore, the need for multiple devices to implement various welding techniques may disadvantageously result in coexistence of devices from different manufacturers, and thus different settings and modes of operation, which may increase the difficulty of an operator setting up and implementing various welding operations, thereby extending processing time and increasing the risk of errors.

As previously mentioned, there are also welding devices configured to perform the various types of welding described above.

However, initially, it may not be necessary to purchase and own equipment capable of performing different types of welds, but such a need may later occur.

Thus, many companies are discouraged by the high cost of the above-described multi-function devices, which are essentially rarely using the available functions of the multi-function device, rather than purchasing the above-described device with a particular individual welding function.

The present invention aims to overcome the drawbacks highlighted so far of the prior art.

In particular, a first object of the present invention is to produce a modular welding system that can be adapted to carry out specific welding processes selected from those described above.

In particular, it is an object of the present invention to produce a modular welding system that can be adapted to a specific welding process in a quick and reversible manner without the need for internal intervention of the system components and wiring when connecting the components.

Another object of the present invention is to produce a modular welding system that can be quickly adapted to a particular welding process while being cheaper than purchasing or renting a plurality of welding devices of the prior art, each of which is specifically adapted to perform a particular type of welding.

In particular, it is an object of the present invention to produce a welding system which then allows to integrate another type of welding with respect to those existing at a lower cost.

The listed objects are achieved by a modular welding system according to the main claim.

Further features of the invention are described in the dependent claims.

Advantageously, the welding system of the present invention facilitates and speeds up setup operations that an operator must perform to be able to perform a particular type of weld.

The objects and advantages listed will better manifest themselves in the following description of some preferred but not exclusive embodiments of the present invention, which are given by way of non-limiting example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

figure 1 shows a front view of a first preferred embodiment of a welding system in a non-connected configuration;

figures 2a and 2b show two isometric views of a first preferred embodiment of the welding system of figure 1 in a non-connected configuration;

figure 3 shows a front view of a first preferred embodiment of the welding system of figure 1 in a connected configuration;

figure 4 shows an isometric view of a first preferred embodiment of the welding system of figure 1 in a connected configuration;

figure 5 shows a front view of a second preferred embodiment of a welding system in a non-connected configuration;

figure 6 shows an isometric view of a second preferred embodiment of the welding system of figure 5 in a non-connected configuration;

figure 7 shows a front view of a second preferred embodiment of the welding system of figure 5 in a connected configuration;

figure 8 shows an isometric view of a second preferred embodiment of the welding system of figure 5 in a connected configuration;

figure 9 shows a cross-section of the female connector according to the invention in a first operative position;

figure 10 shows a split isometric view of the female connector of figure 9;

figure 11 shows a cross-section of the female connector according to the invention in a second operative position;

figure 12 shows a split isometric view of the female connector of figure 11;

fig. 13 shows a cross-section of a male connector according to a first embodiment of the invention;

figure 14 shows a separate isometric view of the male connector of figure 13;

figure 15 shows a cross-section of the connection of the male connector of figure 13 with the female connector of figures 9-10 according to the invention;

figure 16 shows a separate isometric view of the male connector of figure 15 connected with a female connector;

figure 17 shows a cross-section of a male connector according to the invention with respect to an alternative embodiment to the embodiments of figures 13-14;

figure 18 shows a separate isometric view of the male connector of figure 17;

figure 19 shows a cross-section of the connection of the male connector of figure 17 with the female connector of figures 9-10 according to the invention;

figure 20 shows a separate isometric view of the connection of the male connector with the female connector of figure 19.

According to a first preferred embodiment, the modular welding system of the present invention is represented in its entirety in fig. 1 to 4, with the whole being indicated with 1, and according to a second preferred embodiment, in fig. 5 to 8, with 100.

With respect to the first embodiment of the invention, as shown in fig. 1, 2a and 2b, the welding system 1 comprises a main module 2, the main module 2 having a housing 3, the housing 3 defining an input port 4, a generator 5 and an output port 6, the input port 4 being for connection to an input port 4 of an external power source, the generator 5 preferably being an inverter device and being configured for at least a first type of welding to be suitable for the above-mentioned electrical characteristics of the electrical power received at the input port, the output port 6 being for connection to a welding torch by means of an electrical conductor. The above-mentioned electric power adapted by the generator 5 is provided on such an output port 6.

Furthermore, such a main module 2 comprises an electronic control unit 7 configured to control the functions of the aforementioned generator 5.

Preferably, according to a first preferred embodiment, such a generator 5 is either configured to adapt the electric power received at the input to perform a manual type of welding with a coated electrode (MMA), with a continuous welding wire and with a gas shield (MIG/MAG) or with a non-consumable electrode. In order to allow the operator to select and thus implement one of the above-mentioned welding types, the main module 2 comprises a control panel 8, preferably a touch screen display 81, through which the software loaded on the above-mentioned electronic control unit 7 can be suitably arranged.

However, it is not excluded that such a main module 2 and associated generator 5 are configured to perform only one type of welding, or that they are configured differently to allow performing welding processes different from those mentioned above, according to alternative embodiments of the invention.

According to the invention, the main module 2 comprises on such a housing 3 an electromechanical connection unit 9 of a first type, which is defined in more detail below and whose function will be elucidated below.

Furthermore, according to the invention, the welding system 1 comprises an auxiliary module 10, which auxiliary module 10 in turn provides a housing 11 defining a generator 12, which generator 12 is configured to adapt the electrical characteristics of the electric power received on the input to different types of welding than those achievable using the main module 2.

According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the type of welding that can be performed using the second module 10 described above corresponds to plasma welding.

However, with respect to the preferred embodiments described herein, it is not excluded that in alternative embodiments of the invention such an auxiliary module 10 may be configured to perform a different welding than plasma welding, such as welding of the CMT (cold metal transfer) type, pulsed mode Tig, laser, using electron beam or other different types of welding or combinations thereof.

According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, back to the auxiliary module 10, which in turn comprises a second type of electromechanical connection unit 13, the second type of electromechanical connection unit 13 being configured to be connected to the above-mentioned first type of electromechanical connection unit 9 belonging to the main module 2. In particular, as can be seen in fig. 3 and 4, such a first type of electromechanical connection unit 9 and a corresponding second type of electromechanical connection unit 13 are configured to allow the main module 2 to be mechanically and reversibly connected to the auxiliary module 10. Furthermore, the connection of the

electromechanical connection units

9 and 13 of the first and second types described above allows to establish an electrical power connection and a data connection between the main module 2 and the auxiliary module 10.

In particular, such an electrical power connection is configured to allow electrical power to flow from the primary module 2 to the auxiliary module 10, such that power from the primary module 2 described above may be adapted by the generator 12 of the auxiliary module 10 for a particular type of welding, which cannot be achieved by the primary module 2 alone.

More specifically, according to the aforementioned first preferred embodiment of the present invention, when the main module 2 is electrically connected to the auxiliary module 10, the electric power transmitted to the auxiliary module 10 corresponds to the electric power received on the input terminal on the input port 4 of the same main module 2 through the electric power connection.

However, according to different alternative embodiments of the invention, it is not excluded that when the main module 2 is electrically connected to the auxiliary module 10, the electric power transmitted to the auxiliary module 10 by means of the electric power connection corresponds to the power that has been adapted by the generator 5 of the main module 2, to further adapt it to perform a specific type of welding for which the auxiliary module 10 is configured.

According to a first preferred embodiment of the invention, the welding system 1 is further configured to transmit electric power adapted by the generator 12 of the auxiliary module 10 to the output port 6 of the main module 2 through the above-mentioned electric power connection when the main module 2 is electrically connected to the auxiliary module 10.

Advantageously, in this way, for any type of welding, the output 6 defined in the main module 2 can be used to connect and use a welding torch that is particularly suitable for performing the type of welding for which the auxiliary module 10 is configured, and therefore it is not necessary to provide the auxiliary module 10 with a further output port.

However, according to a different embodiment of the welding system 1 of the invention, it is not excluded that, alternatively or in addition to the transmission of the electric power adapted by the auxiliary module 10 to the main module 2, the auxiliary module 10 also comprises an output port for connecting, by means of an electric conductor, a specific welding torch adapted to perform the type of welding for which the auxiliary module 10 is configured.

In other words, the electric power adapted by the generator 12 is provided on the output port of the auxiliary module 10.

According to the aforesaid first preferred embodiment of the invention, according to the aforesaid alternative embodiment, when the main module 2 is electrically connected to the auxiliary module 10, the electronic control unit 7 of the main module 2 is configured to control the function of the generator 12 of the auxiliary module 10 through the aforesaid data connection.

Thus, advantageously, the welding system 1 of the present invention comprises a generator 5 for controlling the same main module 2 and a generator 12 of the auxiliary module 10, using a single electronic control unit 7.

In particular, according to the invention, with respect to the first type of electromechanical connection unit 9, it has a first mechanical connection means 91, a first electric power connection means 92 and a first data connection means 93, while with respect to the second type of electromechanical connection unit 13, it comprises a second mechanical connection means 131 couplable to the aforementioned first mechanical connection means 91, a second electric power connection means 132 couplable to the first electric power connection means 92 and a second data connection means 133 couplable to the first data connection means 93.

In particular, when the auxiliary module 10 is mechanically coupled to the main module 2 by the first and second mechanical connection means 91, 131, the first and second electrical power connection means 92, 132 and the first and second data connection means 93, 133 are coupled to each other, respectively.

With respect to the first mechanical connection means 91 and the second mechanical connection means 131, they are preferably, but not necessarily, quick-connect joints.

With respect to the first data connection 93 and the second data connection 133, they are preferably, but not necessarily, connectors of the RJ45 type. According to alternative embodiments, it is not excluded that these may be selected from other types of data connectors, such as USB, serial, infrared connectors, as long as they are of the quick-connect and reversible type.

Finally, as shown in fig. 13 and 14, with respect to the second electric power connection means 132, according to a first preferred embodiment of the present invention, they comprise a male connector 200 provided with a first conductor element 201 and a second conductor element 203 having a substantially longitudinal extension, through holes 202 being formed in the first conductor element 201 according to the V-direction leaving the housing 3 of the relevant module 2, the second conductor element 203 being inserted through the aforementioned through holes 202.

The second conductor element 203 has a free end 203a, which free end 203a protrudes outwardly with respect to the through hole 202 by a predetermined height H.

Furthermore, the male connector 200 comprises an electrically insulating tubular element 204 arranged between said first conductor element 201 and said second conductor element 203, such that the first conductor element 201 and the second conductor element 203 are electrically insulated from each other.

In alternative embodiments, as shown in fig. 17 and 18, such a male connector 200 may include all of the features described above, except for the absence of the second conductor element 203.

As will be described in detail below, this difference between the two versions of the male connector 200 allows to obtain two different functions when such male connector is alternately connected to a female connector 300 belonging to the first electric power connection device 92 described below.

In this regard, with respect to the first electric power connection means 92, as shown in fig. 9, 10, 11 and 12, they include a female connector 300 provided with a first conductor element 301, a through hole 302 is formed in the first conductor element 301, the through hole 302 having an air inlet 302a facing outwardly with respect to the outer housing 11 of the relevant module 10. Further, they include a second conductor element 303 arranged on the opposite side of the first conductor element 301 with respect to the aforementioned air inlet 302a. Such a second conductor element 303 then has a through hole 304 defined coaxially with the through hole 302 of the first conductor element 301. Furthermore, the second conductor element 303 is configured to move relative to the first conductor element 301 along an extending direction parallel to the above-mentioned two through

holes

302 and 304 from a first operation position, according to which the second conductor element 303 is in contact with the first conductor element 301, as shown in fig. 9 and 10, to a second operation position, according to which the second conductor element 303 is spaced apart and electrically isolated from the first conductor element 301, as shown in fig. 11 and 12, and vice versa.

According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the female connector 300 in the rest state is held in the above-mentioned first operating position by means of a resilient thrust element 305 (in particular a thrust spring 306), which resilient thrust element 305 (in particular a thrust spring 306) acts on the second conductor element 303 in a direction away from the housing 3.

The through

holes

302 and 304 of the first and

second conductor elements

301 and 303 are shaped to allow the free end 203a of the second conductor element 203 of the male connector 200 to pass through, and such that in the first operational position of the female connector 300, the total height H of the two through

holes

302 and 304 is smaller than the height H of the free end 203a of the second conductor element 203 of the male connector 200.

Advantageously, in this way, as can be seen in fig. 15 and 16, when the male connector 200 comprising the second conductor element 203 is connected to the female connector 300, the same second conductor element 203 of the male connector 200 is in contact with the bottom 304a of the through hole 304 of the second conductor element 303 of the female connector 300, thus determining the translation of the female connector 300 from the first operative position to the second operative position.

Thus, an electrical contact state is defined between the

first conductor elements

201 and 301 of the male connector 200 and the female connector 300, an electrical contact state is defined between the

second conductor elements

203 and 303 of the male connector 200 and the female connector 300, and an electrical isolation state is also defined between the

first conductor elements

201 and 301 and the

second conductor elements

203 and 303.

Thus, when the main module 2 is connected to the auxiliary module 10, and thus the first electric power connection means 92 is connected to the second electric power connection means 132, an electric outward path (flow) of electric power is defined from the main module 2 to the auxiliary module 10, and an electric return path (flow) of adapted electric power is defined from the auxiliary module 10 to the main module 2.

Alternatively, if the male connector 200 does not have the second conductor element 203, as shown in fig. 19 and 20, when the same male connector 200 is connected to the female connector 300, the first operation position of the latter remains unchanged, thereby maintaining the electrical contact between the second conductor element 303 and the first conductor element 301, while further establishing the electrical contact between the

first conductor elements

201 and 301. Thus, the coupling of the male connector 200 without the second conductor element 203 with the female connector 300 allows to define a unidirectional electrical connection between the main module 2 and the auxiliary module 10.

In short, it will be appreciated that the configuration of the male connector 200 and female connector 300 of the present invention advantageously allows to obtain a dual operating function, thus easily providing the same male connector with a single element corresponding to the aforesaid second conductor element 203 or eliminating the same male connector with a single element corresponding to the aforesaid second conductor element 203.

As an alternative to the preferred embodiment, the invention does not exclude that the first electrical power connection means 92 comprises a male connector 200 and the second electrical power connection means 132 comprises a female connector 300.

Also, it is not excluded that in embodiments different from the above-described preferred embodiments, the first and second electric power connection means 92, 132 comprise more than one female connector 300 and more than one male connector 200, respectively.

In particular, according to a preferred embodiment of the invention, it is clear that the second electric power connection means 132 may comprise two male connectors 200 and the first electric power connection means 92 may comprise two female connectors 300, when both male connectors 200 are provided with the second conductor element 203, in order to make an electric connection both outwards and back to the two polarities of the electric power exchanged between the main module 2 and the auxiliary module 10.

Furthermore, according to an alternative embodiment with respect to the first preferred embodiment of the welding system 1 of the present invention, the above-mentioned first and second electric power connection means 92, 132 are not excluded from the above-mentioned differences in structure, provided that they are able to establish the above-mentioned electric connection between the main module 2 and the auxiliary module 10.

Furthermore, it is important to emphasize incidentally that the specific solutions and constructions of the first and second electric power connection means 92, 132 described above may be the subject matter of the claims themselves, without having to apply them to the main module 2 and the auxiliary module 10 of the welding system 1, which is the subject of the present invention. In other words, the particular configuration of the first and second electrical

power connection devices

92, 132 may, in turn, advantageously allow for the establishment of electrical connections in a quick, reversible, and reliable manner in a variety of industries and applications where electrical connections to two electrical/electronic devices are desired.

With respect to the welding system 100 according to the second preferred embodiment of the present invention, as shown in fig. 5 to 8, it should be noted that for the sake of simplicity, it includes all the features described in detail in the first preferred embodiment, in particular with respect to the structure of the electromechanical connecting units 9 of the first type and 13 of the second type, if not specifically described.

In addition to the main module 2 having the same features as described for the first preferred embodiment, this second preferred embodiment comprises two

auxiliary modules

20 and 30, each provided with an

outer housing

21 and 31 defining a

generator

22 and 32, the

generators

22 and 32 being configured to adapt the electrical characteristics of the electric power received at the input to a specific type of welding, which is different from the main module 2 and the remaining auxiliary modules.

According to the invention, a first auxiliary module 20 of the two

auxiliary modules

20 and 30 comprises a first type of electromechanical connection unit 9 and a second type of electromechanical connection unit 13, while a second auxiliary module 30 of the two

auxiliary modules

20 and 30 comprises at least one second type of electromechanical connection unit 13, which second type of electromechanical connection unit 13 can be coupled to the first type of electromechanical connection unit 9 of the first auxiliary module 20 or alternatively to the first type of electromechanical connection unit 9 of the main module 2. Advantageously, this allows to obtain a reversible type of mechanical coupling and to establish an electrical power connection and a data connection between the main module 2 and the first auxiliary module 20 and simultaneously between the first auxiliary module 20 and the second auxiliary module 30.

As shown in fig. 7 and 8, such an electrical power connection is configured to at least allow electrical power to flow between the main module 2 and the first auxiliary module 20 and between the first auxiliary module 20 and the second auxiliary module 30, respectively.

Preferably, when the two

auxiliary modules

20 and 30 are mechanically and electrically coupled to the main module 2, either directly or indirectly, the welding system 100 is further configured to transfer the adapted electric power from both of the

generators

22 and 32 of the aforementioned two

auxiliary modules

20 and 30 or from only one of the

generators

22 and 32 of the aforementioned two

auxiliary modules

20 and 30 to the main module 2 through the aforementioned electric power connection in order to provide such adapted electric power on the output port 6.

Advantageously, in this way, for any type of welding, the output 6 defined in the main module 2 can be used to connect and use a welding torch of the type particularly suitable for carrying out the welding of the configuration of the two

auxiliary modules

20 and 20, so that it is not necessary to provide the latter with a further output port.

Alternatively, the welding system 100 of the present invention allows the primary module 2 and the second auxiliary module 30 to be mechanically coupled in a reversible manner, thereby excluding the first auxiliary module 20, thereby allowing an electrical power connection and a data connection to be established between the same primary module 2 and second auxiliary module 30.

Such an electrical power connection is thus configured to at least allow electrical power to flow between the main module 2 and the second auxiliary module 30.

Advantageously, the welding system 100 associated with the second preferred embodiment of the present invention allows at least four different modes of operation to be defined. In detail, alternatively, one or more welds configured by a single main module 2 may be implemented using the welding system 100, one or more welds that may be implemented by combining the main module 2 with the first auxiliary module 20 and the second auxiliary module 30, and finally one or more welds that may be implemented by combining the main module 2 with only the second auxiliary module 30.

Further variations of the welding system 100 of the present invention may include more than two auxiliary modules, each of which may include a first type of electromechanical connection unit 9 and/or a second type of electromechanical connection unit 13, wherein the various auxiliary modules are configured to implement different welding modes with respect to each other or the main module.

Such alternative embodiments of the welding system of the present invention allow for the connection, combination, or alternatively the connection, combination of one or more auxiliary modules to the main module, thereby adapting the welding system of the present invention to a particular type of weld selected from a plurality of welding types provided.

Based on the above, it is evident that the welding system as subject of the invention achieves the preset aims.

In particular, the aim is achieved of producing a modular welding system which can be adapted to carry out a specific welding process selected from those described above.

Furthermore, the object is achieved of producing a modular welding system which can be adapted quickly and reversibly to a specific welding process without the need for internal intervention of system components and wiring connecting these components.

Another object achieved is to produce a modular welding system that can be quickly adapted to a specific welding process while being cheaper than requiring prior art specific welding equipment for each welding type.

Finally, the aim is also achieved of producing a modular welding system that allows the subsequent integration of another type of welding with reduced costs with respect to those already available.

Claims

1. A welding system, comprising:

a main module (2) provided with an outer casing (3), said outer casing (3) defining:

an input port (4) for connection to a source of external electrical power;

a generator (5) configured to adapt the electrical characteristics of the electrical power received at the input to a first type of welding, the first type of welding referring to the electrical power received at the input being adapted to perform a manual welding with a coated electrode, with a continuous welding wire and with a gas shield or with a non-consumable electrode;

-at least one output port (6) for connection to a welding torch by means of an electrical conductor, said adapted electrical power being supplied to said output port (6);

-an electronic control unit (7) configured to control the function of the generator (5);

the main module (2) comprises on the outer casing (3) an electromechanical connection unit (9) of a first type, the welding system comprising at least one auxiliary module provided with an outer casing defining:

a generator configured to adapt electrical characteristics of the electrical power received at the input to a second type of welding, referred to as plasma welding or CMT, pulse mode Tig, laser, electron beam welding;

at least one electromechanical connection unit (13) of a second type, couplable to the electromechanical connection unit (9) of the first type of the main module (2), to allow a reversible type of mechanical coupling to the main module (2) and to establish an electrical power connection and a data connection between the main module (2) and the auxiliary module, the electrical power connection being configured to allow at least an electrical power flow from the main module (2) to the auxiliary module,

characterized in that, when the primary module (2) is electromechanically coupled to the secondary module, the welding system is configured to:

-transmitting power received at an input on the input port (4) or electric power adapted by the generator (5) of the primary module (2) from the primary module (2) to the secondary module through the electric power connection;

-transmitting electric power adapted by the generator of the auxiliary module to the output port (6) of the main module (2) through the electric power connection.

2. Welding system according to claim 1, characterized in that the electronic control unit (7) of the main module (2) is configured to control the function of the generator of the auxiliary module via the data connection when the main module (2) is electrically connected with the auxiliary module.

3. Welding system according to any of the preceding claims, the welding system comprising at least two auxiliary modules, each auxiliary module being provided with an outer housing defining a generator configured to adapt electrical characteristics of the electrical power received at an input to a different welding type than the main module (2) and the remaining auxiliary modules, wherein at least a first auxiliary module (20) of the two auxiliary modules comprises an electromechanical connection unit (9) of the first type and an electromechanical connection unit (13) of the second type, and a second auxiliary module (30) of the two auxiliary modules comprises at least one electromechanical connection unit (13) of the second type, which is coupleable to the electromechanical connection unit (9) of the first type of the first auxiliary module (20), to allow a reversible type of mechanical coupling and to establish an electrical power connection between the main module (2) and the first auxiliary module (20) and simultaneously between the first auxiliary module (20) and the second auxiliary module (30), the electrical power connection being configured to allow an electrical power connection to flow from the first auxiliary module (20) to the second main module (20), respectively;

characterized in that, when the main module (2) is electromechanically coupled to the two auxiliary modules, the welding system is arranged to:

-transmitting, by means of the electric power connection, the electric power received at the input on the input port (4) or the electric power adapted by the generator (5) of the primary module (2) from the primary module (2) to the two auxiliary modules;

through the electrical power connection, electrical power adapted by the generators of the two auxiliary modules is transferred to the output port (6) of the main module (2).

4. The welding system of any of the preceding claims, wherein:

the first type of electromechanical connection unit (9) comprises:

a first mechanical connection means (91);

at least one first electrical power connection (92);

at least one first data connection (93);

the second type of electromechanical connection unit (13) comprises:

-a second mechanical connection means (131) couplable to said first mechanical connection means (91);

at least one second electric power connection means (132) couplable to said first electric power connection means (92);

at least one second data connection means (133) couplable to said first data connection means (93);

wherein the first and second electrical power connection means and the first and second data connection means are coupled to each other, respectively, when the auxiliary module is mechanically coupled to the main module by the first mechanical connection means (91) and the second mechanical connection means (131).

5. The welding system according to claim 4, wherein the first electrical power connection means (92) comprises at least one female connector (300), the female connector (300) being provided with:

a first conductor element (301) in which a through hole (302) is formed, having an air inlet (302 a) facing outward with respect to the outer housing (3);

-a second conductor element (303) arranged on the opposite side of the first conductor element (301) with respect to the air inlet (302 a), having a through hole (304) defined coaxially with the through hole (302) of the first conductor element (301), the second conductor element (303) being configured to be moved relative to the first conductor element (301) along an extension direction parallel to the hole from a first operative position, according to which the second conductor element (303) is in contact with the first conductor element (301), to a second operative position, according to which the second conductor element (303) is spaced apart from the first conductor element (301) and electrically insulated, and vice versa.

6. The welding system according to claim 5, wherein the second electrical power connection means (132) comprises at least one male connector (200), the male connector (200) being provided with:

-a first conductor element (201) in which a through hole (202) is formed, said first conductor element (201) being distanced from said outer casing (3) according to a direction (V);

-a second conductor element (203) having a substantially longitudinal extension inserted through said through hole (202), said second conductor element (203) having a free end (203 a) thereof, said free end (203 a) protruding outwards by a predetermined height (H) with respect to said through hole (202);

an electrically insulating tube element (204) arranged between the first conductor element (201) and the second conductor element (203) such that the first conductor element and the second conductor element are electrically isolated from each other;

and is characterized in that the through holes (302, 304) of the first conductor element (301) and the second conductor element (303) are shaped to allow the free end (203 a) of the second conductor element (203) of the male connector (200) to pass through and such that the total height (H) of the through holes in the first operating position is smaller than the height (H) of the free end (203 a) of the second conductor element (203) of the male connector (200), wherein the second conductor element (203) of the male connector (200) is in contact with the bottom (304 a) of the through hole (304) of the second conductor element (303) of the female connector (300) when the male connector (200) is connected to the female connector (300), thereby determining the translation of the female connector (300) from the first operating position to the second operating position and determining the electrical contact state between the first conductor element (300) of the male connector (200) and the second conductor element (300), respectively.